Method and apparatus for recording and reproducing language learning information on/from a compact disk

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for reproducing language learning information data from a compact disk. On a compact disk, audio data is recorded separately on left and right channels of a general signal area of the compact disk. Sub-Q data, reproduction information data, and language learning data are alternately recorded between adjacent groups of the audio data recorded separately on the left and right channels of the general signal area of the compact disk. The reproduction information data is detected from the general signal area of the compact disk. The reproduction order of the L and R channels is determined in response to the detected reproduction information data, and the audio data recorded on the compact disk is reproduced in the determined reproduction order.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/639,799 filed Apr. 29,1996 and now is U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,212.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus forrecording information used to assist an individual in learning alanguage ("language learning information") onto a compact disk, and forreproducing the same. More particularly, the present invention isdirected to a method and apparatus for recording and reproducinglanguage learning information on/from a compact disk, in which sub-Qdata and language learning data are alternately recorded on a portion ofthe compact disk.

The present invention further relates to a method and apparatus forrecording language learning information on a compact disk, in whichaudio data is recorded and reproduced separately on/from left and rightchannels of the compact disk, thereby doubling therecording/reproduction capacities of the compact disk.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a compact disk is constructed of a circular plate having adiameter of 12 cm. Typically, the compact disk is recorded at a highdensity with audio data, and with program data, which is indicative ofthe various information associated with the recorded audio data.Reproduction of the recorded audio data typically requires at least onehour. The data is reproduced by a pickup device in a non-contactfashion, such that the tracks recorded with the audio data are notabraded. This type of non-contact reproduction prolongs the life of thecompact disk.

Since the compact disk is digitally recorded, there is very little, ifany, signal degradation. Therefore, such a compact disk will exhibit ahigh signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) of at least 90 dB, as compared toa conventional circular plate disk. A compact disk is also generallyprovided with an aluminum reflecting film to cover the portion recordedwith the audio data. This guards against external forces and yields amore durable compact disk.

In general terms, a compact disk has three areas in which information isrecorded. The three areas include a lead-in area, a general signal area,and a lead-out area. On the general signal area, the general audio datais recorded. On the lead-in area, various program data associated withthe audio data recorded on the general signal area is recorded. On thelead-out area, program data indicative of the fact that all informationrecorded on the compact disk has been reproduced is recorded.

In operation, the program data associated with the audio data recordedon the compact disk is detected from the lead-in area in accordance witha user's selection, and a track position of the associated informationis determined according to the detected program data. Then, the pickupdevice is positioned over the track on which the associated informationis recorded, and the information is reproduced. In this manner, adesired one of a plurality of audio data recorded on the general signalarea is reproduced.

FIG. 1 illustrates a data recording format of a compact disk asdescribed above. The general signal area is recorded with sub-Q dataevery 13.3 ms, in addition to the general audio data. The sub-Q datarefers to information regarding the audio data which is currently beingreproduced. The sub-Q data is contained in 80 bits of information toindicate an address, serial number, index, and the required timeregarding the associated audio data. The total required time and otherinformation regarding the audio data are detected from the associatedsub-Q data. A compact disk player analyzes the detected information anddisplays the analyzed result on a display panel, thereby informing theuser of the information regarding the audio data currently beingreproduced.

The sub-Q data is detected about 75 times per second, while the timeinformation retrieved from the sub-Q data is displayed at a much smallerfrequency, on the order of seconds. Thus, about 6000 bits (i.e., 80bits/group of sub-Q data×75 groups/second) of sub-Q data are recordedrepeatedly every second. In the end, the compact disk is recorded with alarge amount of information that is redundant and/or never used.

As is generally known, compact disks are often used for music.Typically, such music compact disks are recorded in stereo, meaning thatthe audio data is simultaneously recorded on left and right channels(referred to hereinafter as L and R-channels) of the general signal areaof the compact disk.

However, where the compact disk is used for assisting one to learn alanguage, it need not be recorded in stereo. In this case, the audiodata is recorded on only one of the L and R-channels of the generalsignal area. This results in reduced recording efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in view of the above and other problems, it is a generalobject of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus forrecording and reproducing language learning information on/from acompact disk, in which sub-Q data and language learning data arealternately recorded on a sub-Q data portion of a general signal area ofthe compact disk, so that the available recording area of the compactdisk can be enlarged and used to record additional information forlearning a language.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for recording and reproducing language learning informationon/from a compact disk, in which language learning data is recordedseparately on L and R-channels of a general signal area of the compactdisk. Here, sub-Q data and reproduction information data are alternatelyrecorded on a sub-Q data part of the general signal area. Thereproduction information data indicates the reproduction order of therecorded language learning data. As a result, the recording efficiencyof the compact disk is increased.

In accordance with the above and other objects of the present invention,there is provided a method for recording language learning informationon a compact disk. The method includes the step of alternately recordingsub-Q data and language learning data between adjacent ones of audiodata recorded on a general signal area of the compact disk, in such amanner that the total number (per second) of the recorded sub-Q data isM and the total number (per second) of the recorded language learningdata is N, where M and N are natural numbers and M+N does not exceed 75(per second). The language learning data indicates the contents of therecorded audio data.

In further accordance with the above and other objects of the presentinvention, there is provided a method for recording language learninginformation on a compact disk. The method includes the step of recordingaudio data separately on left and right channels of a general signalarea of the compact disk, and alternately recording sub-Q data andreproduction information data between adjacent ones of the audio datarecorded separately on the left and right channels of the general signalarea of the compact disk, in such a manner that the total number (persecond) of the recorded sub-Q data is N and the total number (persecond) of the recorded reproduction information data is M, where N andM are natural numbers and N+M does not exceed 75 (per second). Thereproduction information data indicates the reproduction order of therecorded audio data.

In further accordance with the above and other objects of the presentinvention, there is provided a method for recording language learninginformation on a compact disk. The method includes the step of recordingaudio data separately on left and right channels of a general signalarea of the compact disk, and alternately recording sub-Q data,reproduction information data and language learning data betweenadjacent ones of the audio data recorded separately on the left andright channels of the general signal area of the compact disk, in such amanner that the total number (per second) of the recorded sub-Q data isN, the total number (per second) of the recorded reproductioninformation data is M, and the total number (per second) of the recordedlanguage learning data is L, where N, M and L are natural numbers andN+M+L does not exceed 75 (per second). The reproduction information dataindicates the reproduction order of the recorded audio data, and thelanguage learning data indicates the contents of the recorded audiodata.

In yet further accordance with the above objects of the presentinvention, there is provided a method for reproducing language learninginformation from a compact disk, including the steps of detectingreproduction information data from a general signal area of the compactdisk, determining the reproduction order of channels in response to thereproduction information data detected at the first step, andreproducing audio data recorded on the compact disk in the determinedreproduction order.

In even further accordance with the above objects, the present inventionprovides an apparatus for reproducing language learning information froma compact disk. The apparatus includes means for detecting reproductioninformation data from a general signal area of said compact disk, meansfor determining the reproduction order of channels in response to thereproduction information data detected, and means for reproducing audiodata recorded on said compact disk in accordance with the determinedreproduction order.

In still even further accordance with the above objects of the presentinvention, there is provided a compact disk including a general signalarea, a plurality of groups of audio data recorded on said generalsignal area, and sub-Q data and language learning data alternatelyrecorded between adjacent groups of the audio data recorded on thegeneral signal area of the compact disk. The total number of groups ofrecorded sub-Q data is M and the total number of groups of recordedlanguage learning data is N, where M and N are natural numbers and M+Ndoes not exceed 75 per second, and wherein the language learning dataindicates the contents of the recorded audio data.

The present invention further provides a compact disk including ageneral signal area having left and right channels, a plurality ofgroups of audio data recorded separately on the left and right channelsof said general signal area, and sub-Q data and reproduction informationdata alternately recorded between adjacent groups of said audio datarecorded. The total number of groups of recorded sub-Q data is N and thetotal number of groups of recorded reproduction information data is M,where N and M are natural numbers and N+M does not exceed 75. Thereproduction information data indicates the reproduction order of therecorded audio data.

Even further, the above objects of the present invention areaccomplished by a compact disk including a general signal area havingleft and right channels, audio data recorded separately on the left andright channels of said general signal area of said compact disk, andsub-Q data, reproduction information data and language learning dataalternately recorded between adjacent groups of the audio data. Thetotal number of groups of the recorded sub-Q data is N, the total numberof groups of the recorded reproduction information data is M, and thetotal number of groups of the recorded language learning data is L,where N, M and L are natural numbers and the sum of N, M, and L does notexceed 75 per second. The reproduction information data indicates thereproduction order of the recorded audio data, and the language learningdata indicates the contents of the recorded audio data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a data recording format of a conventional compactdisk;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a compact disk player inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a data recording format of a compact disk inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a data recording format of a compact disk in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the compact diskplayer of FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic block diagram of acompact disk player according to the present invention. The compact diskplayer includes a pickup 2 for detecting digital audio data and programdata recorded on a compact disk 1. A pre-amplifier 3 amplifies thedigital audio data and program data detected by the pickup 2 to a levelsuitable for signal processing. A digital signal processor 4 is coupledto the output of the pre-amplifier 3, and separates the digital audiodata and program data amplified by the preamplifier 3 from each other. Arandom access memory (referred to hereinafter as RAM) 5 temporarilystores the program data separated by the digital signal processor 4. Adigital filter 6 is coupled to the digital signal processor 4, andfilters a noise component of the digital audio data separated by thedigital signal processor 4. A digital/analog converter (referred tohereinafter as D/A converter) 7 converts the pure digital audio datafrom the digital filter 6 into analog audio data, which is thenprocessed by an audio signal processor 8 and output as the resultantaudio signal. A display unit 9 processes and displays sub-Q data andcaption data recorded on a program area of the compact disk 1. Amicrocomputer 10 controls the entire operation of the compact diskplayer, including all of the above components.

The operation of the compact disk player as illustrated in FIG. 2, willhereinafter be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

As previously described with reference to FIG. 1, 80 bits of sub-Q dataand audio data are successively recorded on the general signal area ofthe compact disk 1, at a period of 13.3 ms. The audio data is alsorecorded simultaneously on the L and R-channels of the general signalarea. In the case where the compact disk 1 is recorded in stereo, the Land R-channels are simultaneously used for the recording andreproduction of one audio signal.

FIG. 3 illustrates a data recording format of the compact disk 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the 80bits of sub-Q data or 80 bits of language learning data (referred tohereinafter as "caption data") and the audio data are successivelyrecorded on the general signal area of the compact disk 1, every 13.3ms.

A method for reproducing language learning information from the compactdisk 1 in accordance with the present invention will now be described.

When a reproduction function is selected by a user, the microcomputer 10outputs a control signal to a spindle motor (not shown). In response,the spindle motor, which has its shaft coupled to the compact disk 1, isdriven, thereby rotating the compact disk 1. As the compact disk 1rotates, the program data on the lead-in area and the digital audio dataon the general signal area are detected by the pickup 2 and amplified bythe pre-amplifier 3 to a level suitable for subsequent signalprocessing. The program data on the lead-in area, amplified by thepreamplifier 3, are temporarily stored into the RAM 5 through thedigital signal processor 4. As a result, various information regardingthe audio data recorded on the general signal area of the compact disk 1can be detected from the RAM 5 according to a user's selection.

On the other hand, the digital audio data recorded on the general signalarea, and amplified by the pre-amplifier 3, is separated from theprogram data recorded on the lead-in area by the digital signalprocessor 4 and then supplied to the digital filter 6. The digitalfilter 6 filters a noise component of the digital audio data separatedby the digital signal processor 4. The resultant pure digital audio datais supplied to the D/A converter 7, which then converts the pure digitalaudio data into analog audio data. The audio signal processor 8processes the analog audio data from the D/A converter 7 and outputs theresultant audio signals of the L and R-channels.

As described above, the 80 bits of sub-Q data and the language learningdata ("caption data") are alternately recorded on the sub-Q data portionof the general signal area of the compact disk 1, every 13.3 ms. In thecase where only sub-Q data is recorded on the general signal area of thecompact disk 1 (as in the conventional art), information indicative oftune number, advanced time and total required time regarding theassociated audio data is displayed on a display panel of the compactdisk player. But, where the sub-Q data and the caption data arealternately recorded on the general signal area of the compact disk 1,as according to the present invention, the information indicative oftune number, advanced time and total required time, and captioninformation regarding the associated audio data are alternatelydisplayed on the display panel of the compact disk player.

Stated differently, the sub-Q data and caption data recorded on thegeneral signal area of the compact disk 1 are detected by the pickup 2,amplified by the preamplifier 3, and processed by the digital signalprocessor 4. The sub-Q data and caption data processed by the digitalsignal processor 4 are then supplied to the display unit 9 by themicrocomputer 10. As a result, the sub-Q data and caption data processedby the digital signal processor 4 are displayed on the display panel ofthe compact disk player. When displayed, the sub-Q data indicates thetune number, advanced time and total required time regarding theassociated audio data. A maximum of one group of sub-Q data and about 74groups of caption data may be recorded every second.

However, in order to allow the compact disk player to perform moreefficiently, the sub-Q data is recorded sequentially at odd numberedtimes and the caption data is recorded sequentially at even numberedtimes. In other words, the sub-Q data includes 4-bit address data forindicating a recorded position of the associated audio data. For thisreason, in order to accurately detect the audio data, it is preferred todetect the sub-Q data in the fixed order. In this case, caption data ofat least about 3000 bits can further be recorded on the sub-Q dataportion of the general signal area of the compact disk 1 in addition tothe sub-Q data. As a result, the recording efficiency of the compactdisk is greatly improved. Further, the user can visually confirm thecaption data displayed on the display panel of the compact disk player,resulting in a more efficient means of learning a language.

FIG. 4 illustrates a data recording format of the compact disk 1 inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 4, the 80 bits of sub-Q data or 80 bits of reproductioninformation data and the audio data are successively recorded on thegeneral signal area of the compact disk 1, every 13.3 ms. The audio datais also recorded separately on the L and R-channels of the generalsignal area.

In other words, a compact disk 1 recorded with information for learninga language need not be recorded in stereo, a monaural system issufficient. In this connection, the L and R-channels of the generalsignal area can be used separately. The reproduction information dataindicates the reproduction order of the recorded audio data. In order tosequentially reproduce the audio data of L and R-channels, it ispreferred to alternately record the sub-Q data and the reproductioninformation data on the sub-Q data part of the general signal area ofthe compact disk 1.

The compact disk 1 is recorded with about 75 groups of sub-Q data persecond, each of which contains information indicative of an address,serial number, index and required time regarding the associated audiodata. Since the contents of the sub-Q data change once per second, about74 groups of the sub-Q data are not necessary. Therefore, it ispreferred to record alternatively the sub-Q data and the reproductioninformation data every 13.3 ms. Further, N groups of sub-Q data and Mgroups of reproduction information data can be recorded every second,where N+M does not exceed 75. Moreover, a desired number of the M groupsof reproduction information data can be successively recorded. Thereproduction information data indicates the reproduction order of theaudio data of L and R-channels.

Lastly, a method for reproducing language learning information from thecompact disk 1 in accordance with the second embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the compact diskplayer of FIG. 2, particularly the microcomputer 10. At step S1, themicrocomputer 10 checks whether the reproduction function has beenselected by the user. If the reproduction function has not been selectedby the user, the microcomputer 10 returns to step S1 and continues tocheck whether the reproduction function has been selected.

If the reproduction function has been selected by the user, themicrocomputer 10 performs the reproduction operation at step S2. At stepS2, the microcomputer 10 outputs the control signal to the spindle motor(not shown). In response to the control signal, the spindle motor, whichhas its shaft coupled to the compact disk 1, is driven, and begins torotate the compact disk 1. As the compact disk 1 rotates, the programdata on the lead-in area and the digital audio data on the generalsignal area are detected by the pickup 2 and then amplified by thepre-amplifier 3 to a level suitable for signal processing. The programdata on the lead-in area, which is amplified by the pre-amplifier 3, istemporarily stored into the RAM 5 through the digital signal processor4. Therefore, various information regarding the audio data recorded onthe general signal area of the compact disk 1 can be detected from theRAM 5 according to a user's selection.

On the other hand, the digital audio data on the general signal area,which is amplified by the pre-amplifier 3, is separated from the programdata on the lead-in area by the digital signal processor 4 and thensupplied to the digital filter 6. The digital filter 6 filters a noisecomponent of the digital audio data separated by the digital signalprocessor 4 and supplies the resultant pure digital audio data to theD/A converter 7. The D/A converter 7 converts the pure digital audiodata into analog audio data. The audio signal processor 8 processes theanalog audio data from the D/A converter 7 and outputs the resultantaudio signals.

While performing the reproduction operation at step S2, themicrocomputer 10 determines, at step S3, whether reproductioninformation data has been detected. If reproduction information data hasnot been detected, the microcomputer 10 returns to step S2 to continuethe reproduction operation.

If the reproduction information data has been detected, themicrocomputer 10 determines, at step S4, whether the reproductioninformation data is indicating the reproduction order of the L-channel.If so, the microcomputer 10 controls the pickup 2 at step S5 toreproduce audio data recorded on the L-channel of the general signalarea of the compact disk 1.

On the other hand, if, in step S4, the reproduction information datadoes not indicate the reproduction order of the L-channel, themicrocomputer 10 recognizes that the reproduction information dataindicates the reproduction order of the R-channel and proceeds to stepS6. As a result, the microcomputer 10 controls the pickup 2 at step S6to reproduce audio data recorded on the R-channel of the general signalarea of the compact disk 1.

After performing step S5 or S6, the microcomputer 10 determines at stepS7 whether the reproduction operation has been completed. If thereproduction operation has not been completed, the microcomputer 10returns to step S2 to repeat step S2 and the steps subsequent thereto.If the reproduction operation has been completed, the microcomputer 10ends the entire operation. Therefore, the audio data can be recorded andreproduced separately on/from the L and R-channels of the general signalarea of the compact disk 1. This has the effect of doubling both therecording and reproduction densities of the compact disk.

Alternatively, the language learning data in the first embodiment andthe reproduction information data and audio data in the secondembodiment may all be recorded on the compact disk. Further, the audiodata recorded separately on the L and R-channels of the general signalarea of the compact disk 1 are reproduced according to the reproductionorder indicated by the reproduction information data. Therefore, thereproduction operation can be performed smoothly without interruption.

As apparent from the above description, according to the presentinvention, a portion of the 75 groups of sub-Q data is substituted withthe caption data. Therefore, the recording efficiency of the compactdisk is increased, and additional information used for learning alanguage can be recorded.

Further, the audio data is recorded separately on the L and R-channelsof the general signal area of the compact disk. Therefore, the recordingdensity of compact disk is doubled and thus its recording efficiency isincreased, making room for additional information used for learning alanguage to be recorded on the disk.

Moreover, the audio data recorded separately on the L and R-channels ofthe general signal area of the compact disk are reproduced according tothe reproduction order indicated by the reproduction information data.Therefore, the reproduction operation can be performed smoothly withoutinterruption.

There has thus been shown and described a novel method and apparatus forrecording and reproducing language learning information on/from acompact disk, which fulfills all the objects and advantages soughttherefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent tothose skilled in the art after considering the specification and theaccompanying drawings which disclose preferred embodiments thereof. Allsuch changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applicationswhich do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention aredeemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by theclaims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for reproducing language learninginformation from a compact disk comprising the steps of:detectingreproduction information data from a general signal area of said compactdisk; determining the reproduction order of channels in response to thereproduction information data detected, said step for determiningincluding a step for analyzing the reproduction information datadetected and, in accordance with the analyzed result, determiningwhether the left channel is to be reproduced; and reproducing audio datarecorded on said compact disk in accordance with the determinedreproduction order such that audio data of the left channel isreproduced if it is determined that the left channel is to be reproducedand reproducing audio data of the right channel if it is determined thatthe left channel is not to be reproduced.
 2. A method for reproducinglanguage learning information from a compact disk as set forth in claim1, wherein the step of detecting reproduction information comprises thesteps of:determining whether a reproduction function has been selected;performing a reproduction operation if it is determined that thereproduction function has been selected; and determining whether thereproduction information data has been detected from said general signalarea of said compact disk, while performing the reproduction operation.3. An apparatus for reproducing language learning information from acompact disk comprising:means for detecting reproduction informationdata from a general signal area of said compact disk; means fordetermining the reproduction order of channels in response to thedetected reproduction information data, said means for determiningincluding analyzing means for analyzing the reproduction informationdata detected and means coupled to said analyzing means for determiningwhether the left channel is to be reproduced in accordance with theanalyzed result; and means for reproducing audio data recorded on saidcompact disk in accordance with the determined reproduction order suchthat audio data of the left channel is reproduced if it is determinedthat the left channel is to be reproduced and reproducing audio data ofthe right channel if it is determined that the left channel is not to bereproduced.
 4. An apparatus for reproducing language learninginformation from a compact disk as defined by claim 3, wherein saidmeans for detecting reproduction information comprises:means fordetermining whether a reproduction function has been selected; means forperforming a reproduction operation if it is determined that thereproduction function has been selected; and means for determiningwhether the reproduction information data has been detected from saidgeneral signal area of said compact disk, while performing thereproduction operation.
 5. An apparatus for reproducing languageinformation from a compact disk comprising:a detecting circuit operableto receive a signal from a pickup device, said signal includingreproduction information data from a general signal area of said compactdisk; processor circuitry coupled to said detecting circuit andprogrammed to determine the reproduction order of channels in responseto the detected reproduction information data, reproduce audio datarecorded on said compact disk in accordance with the determinedreproduction order, analyze the reproduction information data detected,determine whether the left channel is to be reproduced, and reproduceaudio data recorded on said compact disk in accordance with thedetermined reproduction order such that audio data of the left channelis reproduced if it is determined that the left channel is to bereproduced, and audio data of the right channel is reproduced if it isdetermined that the left channel is not to be reproduced.
 6. Anapparatus for reproducing language learning information from a compactdisk as defined by claim 5, wherein said processor circuitry is alsoprogrammed to determine whether a reproduction function has beenselected, perform a reproduction operation if it is determined that thereproduction function has been selected, and determine whether thereproduction information data has been detected from said general signalarea of said compact disk while performing the reproduction operation.